“Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) has a bill for Congress that she said members on both sides of the aisle can get behind: improving the historic Franklin Square park in downtown D.C.
“Renovations to the park, which is controlled by the National Park Service, won’t cost the federal government a dollar. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser’s office has already set aside $13.9 million in local funds to build new facilities — including a cafe, public restrooms and a playground — and D.C.’s Downtown Business Improvement District has reserved $750,000 annually to operate and maintain the renovated park.
“But before the city can invest in the federally owned park, it needs approval from Congress to enter into a cooperative management agreement with the Park Service…
“…Plans for the renovations — which would be conducted through a partnership between the National Park Service, the city and the Downtown BID — include reconstructing the broken sidewalks, building a new fountain and programs in the park including yoga and movie-screenings, said Ellen Jones, the Downtown BID’s director of infrastructure.”